What is Project ACCESO

Project ACCESO is a Department of Education funded Hispanic-Serving Institutions Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (HSI-STEM) grant that seeks to increase CSU Channel Islands' ability to support students enrolled in STEM majors. The nearly $6 million grant provides funding for tutoring, peer mentoring, and other student success services; summer and academic year paid research experiences for students; research and instructional infrastructure; and STEM outreach to the community. The grant also seeks to facilitate the transfer of STEM students from each of CI's regional community college partners--Oxnard College, Moorpark College, Santa Barbara City College, and Ventura College.

Mission of Project ACCESO

Project ACCESO seeks to increase the number of underserved students (defined as Hispanic and low-income students) who are succeeding in and graduating from STEM majors at CI, to increase the number of underserved students interested in pursuing bachelor's degrees in STEM, and to assist underserved students in their development of critical STEM skill sets, e.g., critical thinking, analytical reasoning, scientific literacy, and interdisciplinary communication. The program encourages cultural diversity as represented by a diversity of worldviews, histories, and cultural knowledge across a range of social groups including those associated with race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, socioeconomic background, religion, and their intersections., gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, socioeconomic background, religion, and their intersections. Project ACCESO is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer funded through a Department of Education Hispanic-Serving Institutions Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (HSI-STEM) grant.

All CI students are eligible to benefit from services provided by Project ACCESO.